Certified Gate Automation Designer

Eligibility Requirements

CGAD eligibility requires a minimum of one year of gate automation experience OR have attended AFA’s Gate Automation Designer School.  You may still sit for the exam before you have one year of experience; if you pass the exam, your certification will be held until the experience requirement is met.

Topics Covered

• Types of Gates and Operators 
• UL 325 
• ASTM F2200 
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 
• Electrical Wiring 
• Access Control Devices 
• Vehicle Detection Systems 
• Power Fail Options 
• High Security Installations 
• Other Site Considerations 

Study materials are sent electronically following application approval. 

Testing

The CGAD exam includes 100 questions and must be completed in two hours. It is not an open book test. All test questions are developed directly from the program study materials; no other resources are used. All ACI exams are in-person only. 

For more information on the testing process, please click here.

Once you have passed the exam and received your official notification that you have earned your CGAD designation, you are entitled to advertise yourself as a Certified Gate Automation Designer. Once certified, you may use the designation, its acronym and its logo on your business cards, sales proposals, and other materials normally used in the sales and marketing process.

The designation belongs to you, and it is not owned by your business or employer. Should you leave your current company, your certification will go with you. If you do change jobs or otherwise change your contact information, please contact ACI to update your records.

Recertification

The Certified Gate Automation Designer designation is valid for three years from issuance of the credential.  

Renewal Requirements 

Earn 12 hours of gate automation/access control-focused continuing education in the three year period prior to renewal 

Continuing education will be reported as part of the renewal application and must include the following: 

• Date(s) of session 
• Session title 
• Instructor name 
• Name of organization providing training 
• Proof of attendance with hours earned included (payment receipt not accepted; must be certificate of attendance/participation or, if unavailable, letter from course instructor confirming applicant’s attendance and hours earned) 

Criteria for continuing education programming is subject to change per the AFA Credentialing Committee. 

If the renewal requirements are not met, you must reapply for the CGAD program and retake the certification exam to reactivate your CGAD credential.  Once certification is earned again, your certification issue date will change accordingly. 

FAQs